Elena Rybakina’s coaching circus continued on Tuesday when the WTA announced that her coach, Stefano Vukov, has been banned from the tour for one year. Vukov had already been banned provisionally since last year’s U.S. Open.
The WTA recently completed an investigation and found Vukov to have breached the WTA’s code of conduct for mental abuse. Through text messages, Vukov allegedly called Rybakina “stupid” and told her she would “still be in Russia picking potatoes” without him.
“Following this process, the suspension remains in place,” the WTA stated. “To protect the confidentiality and integrity of the investigation and its findings, the WTA will not provide further details. We remain committed to ensuring that all matters are handled in a fair and objective manner in accordance with the WTA code of conduct.”
With Vukov’s provisional ban preventing him from getting a credential for the Australian Open, Rybakina brought in Goran Ivanisevic for the first Grand Slam of 2025. Ivanisevic wasn’t happy, however, when Rybakina prematurely indicated that Vukov would be back for the Aussie Open. Unsurprisingly, Ivanisevic–even though Vukov was and continues to be absent–left the team following Rybakina’s fourth-round loss in Melbourne to eventual champion Madison Keys.
The world No. 7 is now working with Davide Sanguinetti.
“I’m just disappointed with the situation, and how the process went,” Rybakina said of Tuesday’s announcement following her Doha third-round win over Rebecca Sramkova. “I’m not going to comment much on that any more. I’m focusing on my matches, and when I go on the court I’m thinking only about the way I need to play, so I’m concentrating on myself, and also, of course, on the opponent.
“Definitely, it’s not the best time. But as I said, I’m always focusing on my matches and want to perform as best as I can.”
a weird one
Interesting, but as a former sports goer myself, I don’t quite pay attention to the drama or outside world. Mental focus is just for those minutes while the match is in play. Just the player, ball, and Raquet.
I remember when I first saw Rybakina come on the scene, I didn’t rate her very highly. I think it was an indoor match vs. a big bird Dutch red head. Can’t quite think of her name. Needless to say she’s proven me wrong and exceeded my expectations. Fritz would be another player that exceeded my predictions. I thought Sam Querry gifted him that first tournament win, didn’t think he’d win another. Totally wrong. Also, Jarry, when he was playing Zverev on clay, and had him dead to rights. Gasquet even almost beat Zverev on clay that tournament. I was so upset, but he has improved as a player since then.
Although, I will say I have dodged a lot of upsets with those three, because I know they are far weaker than their rank, because of those early exposures to them when the going got tough.
agreed about Rybak